I agree with bluekitobsessed - unless you need it for privacy I like the uncovered windows. Otherwise, I agree with you on the bamboo - that would continue the lovely peaceful feel you have created without detracting too much from the simplicity that makes it feel so soothing. I love everything about your room - beautiful job.

Thanks for the synthetic deck warning. I do like going barefoot but given the location/size I'm strictly picking based on color/looks vs. feel preference. I did read the other poster's complaint - but put some shoes on the poor kids feet if it is such an issue. :) Depending on the moment I am switching between Ipe vs. composite but I really like the Ipe deck that Scotte posted the other day...he really messed me up. The deck is so small that if I don't like it, I can always annoy my husband and make him switch it out in the future. We aren't really worried about the money issue. But your supply list is a big help as we weren't sure if we wanted the 6 inch tube or the 8 inch tube and you anwsered that one. My husband's big confusion is if the concrete pad is existing and he attaches a bracket to that for the post or drills a hole in the concrete pad and adds a rod (as the book showed) could that work vs. the tube. He just prefer's not to break up the concrete slab. He doesn't mind the extra work to make it to code/structurally sound or the cost given the project given the size shouldn't be that expensive (expecially compared to everything else we are doing). He has to form a plan in his mind before starting this and he's in his brainstorming phase... you've been a huge help. He is worried if he calls the building code people they will give us a stop order and make us pull a permit. While we in theory have no issue getting a permit, they will not fix our sidewalk on the county rightaway, so I refuse to pull permits for this stuff till they fix my sidewalk! Plus, we are replacing it, not building new and are doing our best to build it to code (which is why we are asking for help). Oh, can you explain why the frostline is important - my husband is getting stumped on that a little too. Thank you again! We are almost there and it will one way or another be going in next weekend.

I just updated pictures of this project and added more details to my blog. Check it out! Here is a link that might be useful: http://easydeck.blogspot.com/

Thanks, It is just stamped concrete with a layer of crushed glass (looks and feels like grains of salt but not opaque like sand) to make it less sliippery. The glass is put on just after it is stamped. I don't know what kooldeck is so I'm sure we don't have it.